Where are most student fatalities occurring in relation to school buses?

Student fatalities are most commonly associated with getting on or off a school bus. This situation is particularly hazardous due to the large blind spots around school buses and the potential for drivers to be unaware of children in these areas. When children approach or exit the bus, they are often in close proximity to traffic, which increases the risk of accidents.

Moreover, safety protocols emphasize the importance of using crosswalks and waiting for signals when commuting to and from the bus stop, yet many children may not consistently follow these measures. As a result, getting on or off the bus represents a critical moment when safety must be prioritized, as this is when children are most vulnerable to being struck by passing vehicles.

While there are indeed risks associated with waiting at the bus stop or walking there, the data shows that the moments immediately before and after boarding or alighting the bus are where the highest incidence of fatalities occurs. This highlights the need for drivers to remain vigilant and for children to be educated on bus safety practices.